Brothers Yanked By HGTV Respond: “If Our Faith Costs Us A TV Show, Then So Be It”

As they were swamped with media requests for interviews, David and Jason Benham issued a statement today about HGTV‘s decision not to move forward with their new show, Flip It Forward in the wake of a report issued by People For the American Way about the brothers, and their father:

The first and last thought on our minds as we begin and end each day is; have we shined Christ’s light today? Our faith is the fundamental calling in our lives, and the centerpiece of who we are. As Christians we are called to love our fellow man. Anyone who suggests that we hate homosexuals or people of other faiths is either misinformed or lying.

Over the last decade, we’ve sold thousands of homes with the guiding principle of producing value and breathing life into each family that has crossed our path, and we do not, nor will we ever discriminate against people who do not share our views.

We were saddened to hear HGTV’s decision. With all of the grotesque things that can be seen and heard on television today you would think there would be room for two twin brothers who are faithful to our families, committed to biblical principles, and dedicated professionals. If our faith costs us a television show then so be it.

When HGTV announced the program, just last month, it said the twin brothers would “leverage their good-natured sibling rivalry to help families find a fixer-upper and transform it into the dream home they never thought they could afford.” But yesterday, HGTV announced via Twitter and Facebook, “HGTV has decided not to move forward with the Benham Brothers’ series.” That announcement came the day after People For the American Way said David Benham had led a prayer rally outside of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC in 2012, in which he told a conservative radio host that America’s Christian majority must repent for tolerating “homosexuality and its agenda that is attacking the nation” and “demonic ideologies tak[ing] our universities and our public school systems.” He also said his brother had joined him in the prayer protest. The group also claimed David leads protests outside of abortion clinics.

People For the American Way said one of the brothers is following in the footsteps of their father, Flip Benham, who the group said has headed the abortion-clinic protest group Operation Save America ever since it “split from the militant anti-choice group Operation Rescue”. As leader of OSA, the Benham patriarch “has condemned the interfaith Sandy Hook memorial,” has “blamed the Aurora shooting on the Democratic party,” and has “blamed the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on abortion rights,” People For the American Way said, among other things in its report.

Contacted for comment, HGTV emailed its statement of yesterday and declined to comment further.